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Posted on March 16, 2015 at 11:49:57 PM by Madeline || Nanook
Summer was quickly fading into a most welcome autumn. At least, this is how Nanook thought of the seasons. Summer and Spring, bad. Winter and Autumn, good. This reasoning was due to Nanook being an ivory white polar bear. She was a truly a beast of born of cold weather: snow, ice, sleet, cold rains all thrilled her. But the sweltering heat of summer, the pollens of Spring flowers, warm mists and dry winds all drove her wild and were held in the greatest disdain. Despite her dislike of the heat, she made do with it (always the first to find shade). This particularly warm afternoon found both Nan and her soul-mate, Madeline tending a small vegetable garden in a corner of the larger, more elaborate gardens kept by the King. Rather, it should be said, Maddy was tending the garden and Nanook was happily resting in the shade of a sycamore tree.
Madeline was a tall, skinny girl on the cusp of womanhood. She had long coppery-brown hair, bright green eyes, pale skin and the prettiest heart-shaped face. She was brand-new to the castle and all its ways. The girl and the bear had found the garden one day during their castle explorations. It had been a welcome surprise and since the discovery, each day after lunch, she returned. The gardens were lavish, with bubbling fountains, a twisting labyrinth and an exotic variety of flowers. At the far back were the kitchen's garden. This plot was an unkemppt half-acre of sprawl of plants that stretched all the way back to the stone wall surrounding the castle grounds. There the herbs and vegetables, fruit bushes and a zillion different squashes.
Maddy had fallen in love. She loved gardening and could easily pass hours pulling weeds and watering the plants. At times she even talked to the plants, encouraging them to grow with silly stories. After a few days of consistently showing up in the afternoon. The kitchen staff maids began to expect her and were even willing to accept the large polar bear that walked with her. Maddy liked to think they were even, if begrudgingly so, grateful for her help. Her hours spent pulling weeds freed up the kitchen girls to preserve jams and pickle vegetables in preparation for winter.
On this particularly warm afternoon, Maddy had a basket at her side and was filling it with snap peas. Firm, green and juicy, Maddy was quite proud of the crop. She had always had a green thumb, and was skilled in Earth magic as well (although due to reasons unknown, she couldn't work her magic the way she used to). Her basket was nearly full and her head was spinning with stories from a book she had read earlier in the day. So it was, that she was completely unaware of the arrival of a little girl.
Unawares, that was, until Nanook's quiet voice entered her mind. Look over there, Madeline. Remember her?
Madeline rocked back on her heels and turned curiously to look. The little girl was hanging out a few yards away, avidly watching a tiny bird and its brood.
Maddy smiled, and said to Nanook, I do remember her! She has been at dinner, I think, almost every night since we've arrived. What do you think, Nan? Should I go introduce myself?
Yes, Mads, I think you should, came the bear's reply, this child seems friendly enough and God knows you need more friends around here.
Madeline frowned a bit at Nanook's casual taking of God's name in vain but found herself in agreement with the bear. She really did enjoy the company of children, but had rarely played with them in the cloistered estate she had grown up in. Standing up and brushing dirt from her hands onto the simple yellow apron she wore for gardening, Madeline called cheerily out across the yard.
"Hello! Would you like a treat? I have peas...they're fresh and tasty!..."
After speaking, Maddy was suddenly full of nerves. She blushed for no reason and then, silently scolding herself for being so silly mustered the courage to wave at the child, beckoning her to come and taste the harvest.
Replies:
- come with me now! - By grimbaud March 26, 2015 at 03:18:38 AM
- white winter hymnal - By Madeline || Nanook March 27, 2015 at 05:52:06 AM
- i've got sunshine on a cloudy day - By Grimbaud April 2, 2015 at 00:29:46 AM
- white winter hymnal - By Madeline || Nanook April 11, 2015 at 04:48:05 AM
- when it's cold outside - By GRIMBAUD April 23, 2015 at 11:55:36 PM
- white winter hymnal - By Madeline || Nanook April 11, 2015 at 04:48:05 AM
- i've got sunshine on a cloudy day - By Grimbaud April 2, 2015 at 00:29:46 AM
- white winter hymnal - By Madeline || Nanook March 27, 2015 at 05:52:06 AM
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